Eleonas Country Village

My mom and I were staying for a week in May at this little garden of Eden.|We were soooooo delighted! Normally, I do not return to the same place for a holiday because I like to discover new places every holiday, but for this little gem, I'll gladly make an exception!|The cottages are situated in a lovely, green, lush garden on the hills of Zaros. You wake up with the smell of flowers and herbs and the songs of birds. The staff is lovely, always helpful. Rooms are charming and very clean. And the food... let's talk about the food! Breakfast and diner were half board in buffet, and it was just divine. Wines are very good as well. You can rent a car to visit beaches, nice villages and archeological sites closeby. Several beautiful hikes in the area, but quite challenging as well. If you are looking for a peaceful holiday close to nature, do not hesitate and book your holiday now.|The owner, Manolis, makes you feel right at home and gives his whole heart to make your holiday special. He did create a wonderful place and he should be very proud of it.|We will come back next year, without any doubt!

Perfect place to relax, for both adults and kids. We stayed a week as a family of 4. The cottage we had was enormous with really comfy beds and stayed nice and cool during the day. Pools and gardens were really nice and the general location in the countryside is so peaceful. The highlight was undoubtedly the food which was brilliant. Big thanks to Manolis for his hospitality! We’ll be back

We have just returned after what has been such an amazing week away. This was our 2nd visit & we would say even better than our 1st visit 7 years ago. Such a warm welcome as soon as we arrived as the manager remembered us, all the staff are so friendly & can’t do enough for you. The food is excellent such a variety & different choice every day. We stayed in a mezzanine cottage which was a good size, with stunning views & lovely outside private garden. We hired a car & ventured out most days to the most beautiful beaches & villages. The lake is a really nice place to sit & enjoy food & drink nice walk from cottages. The new adults pool is so relaxing & a quiet place to just relax. We absolutely love this hidden gem & if looking for a peaceful break it’s the place to visit. We will return maybe with our 5 year old son next time as there is an indoor play centre & park & kids pool area. ||Trish & Anthony xx

From the moment we arrived until the day we left, we felt truly cared for by the warm and welcoming owner, Manolis, and his attentive team. Their kindness and personal attention added a very human touch to our stay. This is a place that offers a genuinely authentic Cretan experience, far from the crowds and commercial feel of typical tourist areas.||We stayed in the cottage with a private pool, which became our pass time morning and evening. Everything functioned smoothly and added to the relaxed pace of our holiday. We chose the half-board option and were so glad we did: every meal felt like a lovingly prepared taste of Greece. The home-cooked dishes had just the right balance of tradition and variety, even managing to keep our little one happy at mealtimes.||The setting was peaceful and quiet around the clock, lending itself to deep rest and reflection. What stood out most, though, were the conversations and moments shared with Manolis and his staff; they brought an authenticity and warmth that’s hard to come by.||This is a special place for those looking to slow down and enjoy a rustic, tucked-away retreat. It may not be for everyone, but for us, it was a memorable and heartfelt experience.

A magical place for a dream vacation in Crete! We stayed at Eleonas Country Village and rented a beautiful house with a private jacuzzi. Waking up every morning to the breathtaking view of the mountains was simply unforgettable. The atmosphere is peaceful and authentic, the food is delicious (don’t miss the local dishes!), and the olive oil is absolutely top quality — a real taste of Crete. What makes it even more special? The people. Everyone is kind, warm, and welcoming. There’s a swimming pool for adults and one for kids, making it the perfect spot to relax as a family — or as a couple. A heartfelt thank you to Manolis for creating such a wonderful village filled with beauty, nature, and soul. We’ll be back!

My husband and I recently spent 3 nights at this lovely hotel located in the Crete countryside. Everything about it was delightful and exceeded our expectations. We had a spacious cottage with a patio and views of the mountains. The food (both breakfast and dinner were included) was delicious, with a wide variety served. There was hiking nearby, and it was also a great base from which to explore beaches (e.g., Matala) and archaeological sites. We wished we could have stayed longer!

The owner of the place is really welcoming. We arrived at 1 a.m. with my grandparents, and he patiently waited for us to show us the place and even helped us carry our suitcases to the room. The food, both breakfast and dinner, was truly excellent. I had a wonderful stay—thank you very much!

What a great experience. Excellent room, host, food, and activities. This was also our favorite region of Crete during a two week trip filled with interesting stops in Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Elounda. We really would have missed out if we had not added this to our trip. And it is easy to do given the proximity to Heraklion.||We hiked most days - the Agiofarago gorge to a beautiful beach, Nisos Hill Circuit between Matala and Kommos beach, and the trail to Vronitissi monastery from the hotel. We did the Vrontissi hike twice because we loved the walk through the local olive groves so much. Car rental provided by the hotel made this very easy.||We didn't hike Rouvas gorge but instead did the truffle experience. It takes place at the other end of the gorge in a beautiful oak grove. You are hosted by a local family and their truffle dog for breakfast, truffle hunting and lunch. Spring was the season for white truffles. This was a splurge for us but really special and unique.||I also think this would be a great trip for families. Pool at the hotel with play areas and rooms with extra space for families. Buffet style meals with excellent local food for adults combined with some kid friendly choices. Agiofarago and Vrontissi hikes went by sheep and goat herds. ||It is also rare to find such an excellent host like Manolis. We really enjoyed meeting him.